Wayfarer

Chapter 796: Reunion with Yaoguang

In a villa in Dahan's capital, the Snowborne assassins within had all been captured. All eyes turned toward the building in which Lady Yaoguang was held.

A black-robed cultivator stood beside Xiao Nanfeng. "Eastern Aspect Xiao, it looks like we've succeeded."

"Mr. Bai, I was able to take down Ao Canghai thanks to you, and I was able to find this location with your assistance. If Lady Yaoguang is unharmed, then our grudges are settled," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Thank you, Eastern Aspect Xiao," Mr. Bai replied gratefully.

He had given Xiao Nanfeng evidence about Ao Canghai to save his life; he had rendered assistance now to buy his freedom. He knew that Xiao Nanfeng was a man of his word, and he was very grateful for this opportunity.

"Are you familiar with the aura radiating from within?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"I am. It's the aura of a superior yin pearl that Snowborne possesses. It's even stronger than the one I used on you. It can ensnare minds and is particularly dangerous."

Xiao Nanfeng grimaced. "I understand. Mr. Bai, you may leave for the moment. Do not expose your identity."

"Thank you, Eastern Aspect Xiao." Mr. Bai bowed and quickly left.

Xiao Nanfeng took a deep breath and transformed into his yin body. His spiritual moon floated high overhead.

By then, his subordinates had cleared off the area. They too were aware of the dangers that lay within. Even Ye Sanshui and Tu Feng didn't dare barge in.

Xiao Nanfeng stepped toward the entrance, his divine undying blade in hand. He pushed the door wide open.

The door burst open as Xiao Nanfeng entered the building.

What he saw left him stunned. Lady Yaoguang, wielding a blue sword, had pierced through a massive superior yin pearl.

The pearl was releasing an eerie, blood-curdling wail as it emitted bursts of white light and bitter cold. Even so, the blue sword held it firmly in place, preventing it from escaping. Lady Yaoguang, entirely focused on the sword, clearly had the upper hand.

When Xiao Nanfeng entered, she whirled toward him in surprise. A radiant smile filled her face even as tears glistened in her eyes—tears of joy mixed with longing.

"Nanfeng!" she cried out.

Xiao Nanfeng's heart skipped a beat. He smiled tenderly. "I've come for you."

Without any hesitation, he shot toward the superior yin pearl and swung his divine undying blade down in a crisp strike.

The blade slashed into the pearl, cracking its surface.

The superior yin pearl screamed in agony. It shuddered violently and, despite suffering further damage, tore itself free from the sword's hold. It lunged toward Xiao Nanfeng with terrifying fury.

It opened its mouth wide, revealing rows of sharp teeth that were poised to grind Xiao Nanfeng to pieces.

"Be careful!" Lady Yaoguang shouted.

Xiao Nanfeng's eyes flashed coldly as he prepared to strike once more. Just then, his spiritual moon shot forward and widened its mouth to reveal rows of sharp teeth as well.

"What?!" Lady Yaoguang exclaimed.

Xiao Nanfeng's spiritual moon clashed against the superior yin pearl in an icy blizzard that destroyed the building. Xiao Nanfeng darted forward and scooped Lady Yaoguang into his arms as they soared through the sky.

Lady Yaoguang tensed the moment Xiao Nanfeng caught her, but didn't resist. She allowed him to carry her to safety.

High above, Xiao Nanfeng's spiritual moon and the superior yin pearl clashed repeatedly in a blizzard of immense proportions, engulfing all of Dahan's capital.

Xiao Nanfeng finally realized just how strong this superior yin pearl was. Despite having been pierced through by Lady Yaoguang's sword and cracked by his own, it was still able to fight on equal footing with his spiritual moon. And his spiritual moon had even advanced significantly in strength after consuming another superior yin pearl!

"No wonder Mr. Bai said that this superior yin pearl was incredibly strong," Xiao Nanfeng murmured.

"Nanfeng, shall I help your spiritual moon?" Lady Yaoguang asked.

"Can you?"

"When that pearl suppressed me, it seemed to stimulate my Cursebane Sword. I can restrain it again."

"Let's give it a try, then." Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

Lady Yaoguang sent her blue Cursebane Sword flying toward the superior yin pearl, piercing it through once again.

The superior yin pearl screamed in pain as Xiao Nanfeng's spiritual moon seized the opportunity to swallow it whole. The Cursebane Sword returned to Lady Yaoguang's hand.

Xiao Nanfeng's spiritual moon shone with radiant light as it flew back to Xiao Nanfeng's mindscape to digest its gains.

Xiao Nanfeng shifted back to his physical body. Even so, he didn't release Lady Yaoguang.

"You can let me down now, Nanfeng." Lady Yaoguang's cheeks flushed.

Only then did Xiao Nanfeng realize that there were plenty of people watching them. Reluctantly, he let her go, but continued to keep a firm grip on her hand.

Lady Yaoguang gently tugged at her hand, trying to extricate herself, but turned pink when she saw that Xiao Nanfeng didn't intend to let go. Even so, she didn't pull away.

Xiao Nanfeng took a deep breath and addressed the city. "Citizens of Dahan's capital, I have found Lady Yaoguang. We will be retreating from Dahan's capital momentarily. Protect yourselves."

His black-clad subordinates rounded up the captured Snowborne assassins and prepared to leave with Xiao Nanfeng.

Just then, an official of Dahan blocked their way. "Eastern Aspect Xiao, what about our Immortal Emperor? Now that you've found Lady Yaoguang, please free him."

Xiao Nanfeng glanced at the official coldly. "I may have found Lady Yaoguang, but it was through no assistance from the likes of you. You have no right to demand his freedom. I'm not done with Dahan just yet. Once I discuss terms with the Immortal Emperor of Dahan, we may speak again."

"We're willing to compensate you—anything you desire!" the official exclaimed.

"Some wrongs can't be undone with compensation. The suffering that Lady Yaoguang endured is beyond what you can repay," Xiao Nanfeng retorted icily.

The official stiffened. What was he to do now?

Without further discussion, Xiao Nanfeng flew out of Dahan's capital, Lady Yaoguang and his subordinates in tow.

Dahan's capital wasn't safe any longer. Powerful enemies were gathering and watching from the shadows. The situation was uncertain, and no one wanted to be the first to strike—not yet. Xiao Nanfeng had no intention of waiting for them to.

Lady Yaoguang felt a little shy to be holding hands with Xiao Nanfeng out in the open, but joy blossomed from within.

Xiao Nanfeng, whom she had once bullied, had since become a strong and dominant cultivator. She blushed as she felt his warm hand in her grip.

The cultivators vanished over the horizon.

Back in the Shangqing holy land, the disciples who had been paying close attention to the news cheered when they realized that Lady Yaoguang had been found. Many female disciples were filled with envy and admiration for her.

"He defied an entire divine empire for her, imprisoning its emperor and threatening its allies! Senior Brother Xiao is amazing. He's a true man."

"If only my lover would challenge an empire on my behalf. I'd gladly let myself be kidnapped, too..."

"Where did Lady Yaoguang find such a man? I want one too!"

The female disciples' admiration for Xiao Nanfeng soared. Those male disciples who had previously criticized him were quickly silenced by overwhelming support from the women.

Elsewhere, the leaders of various factions smiled with gleaming eyes.

"Prepare the troops. It's time to invade Dahan."

"This is the perfect opportunity to strike. With their emperor captured, now's our chance to carve up the divine empire."

"I hope Xiao Nanfeng finishes off the Immortal Emperor of Dahan. If he does, Dahan will be ours!"

Ambitions swirled all around the divine empire of Dahan as it was beset by foes from all corners.

Meanwhile, Xiao Nanfeng and Lady Yaoguang finally arrived at a safe location.

Xiao Nanfeng ordered some of his black-clad subordinates to leave, and others to guard them from a distance. Xiao Nanfeng and Lady Yaoguang themselves walked hand-in-hand along a sandy beach in companionable silence.

"Nanfeng, how long are you going to hold my hand? Let go already!" Lan Yaoguang teased, her cheeks flushed red.

"I'd like to hold it forever. Will you allow me to?" Xiao Nanfeng smiled at her.

Flustered, Lan Yaoguang looked away, her heart racing. "I'm not anyone to you. Who said you could hold my hand? Let go!"

"Very well." Xiao Nanfeng sighed as he released her hand.

As their hands parted, Lan Yaoguang couldn't help but feel an unexpected pang of sadness. She glanced toward Xiao Nanfeng, her eyes filled with a mix of disappointment and longing. Had he let go just because she told him to?

Then, Xiao Nanfeng suddenly pulled her into his arms and lifted her chin gently. As she gasped in surprise, he kissed her tenderly.

Lan Yaoguang's eyes widened in shock as she stared into Xiao Nanfeng's face, mere inches from her own. Her mind went blank, and her heart burst with a mix of joy and embarrassment. She surrendered to the warmth and tenderness of the kiss, in the happiness it brought her.